Thursday, December 30, 2010

I have many more pictures to upload from Christmas but they'll have to wait until after New Years. This week has flown by, as has 2010 for that matter. 2010, although rewarding and great in many ways, was also one of my most challenging. Which, in turn, makes those rewards that much sweeter I guess. This blog has continued to be a place of respite, a source of inspiration, a release of creative energy, and so much more. I can't thank my followers enough for sticking with me and I promise to keep writing and making lame jokes in 2011, that's why you came right?!

Anyway, here's to 2011! Hope your New Years Eve will be sparkly, glittery, and a great night to ring in the new year.

I have to say, I've become quite good at slapping people's hands away from their food, just so I can get a shot for this blog. Here are some food shots I took over the holidays.

My Iroquois sandwich from Bread & Company, chicken salad spread on cranberry pecan bread. If you don't have a B&Co. in your town, I feel for you, I really do.

Attempting to make Pioneer Woman's Orange Rolls (using her cinnamon roll recipe.) These did not turn out so great unfortunately. I think she may have left out a step or two in the recipe...

I swear it wasn't my fault.

Marmalade on dough, at least it looked pretty.

Icing for the rolls. Trying to catch an action shot of the drip.

Rolling some dough. Before going out at night, my mom told me I needed "a little color." Meaning, blush or lipstick, or a week in Mexico. Therefore, I've tried to spare you my paleness by turning this photo black and white, didn't help much, put your shades on please.

Christmas Eve dinner was short ribs, here is some bacon pancetta seasoning the pot.

Here, we've removed the pancetta, dusted the short ribs in salt and pepper and flour.

They are about to get brown in the pot and the kitchen is about to smell amazing.

These creatures wandered into the kitchen and did their best to trip me up

while holding the plate of cooked short ribs.

Don't you dare scrape that pot! Throw in your onions, carrots, and wine now.﻿ Then put the short ribs back in, cover with a lid, and put into the oven for about 2 hours.

Results = fall off the bone tender super yummy rich salty short ribs.

There were just a few more steps involved in each of these recipes, please do yourself a favor and check here for them before attempting.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Recently, KTW has made plans to move to Palo Alto for three months for work. He leaves in January and I cannot wait to get out there and visit him! Since this past weekend marked one of our last together in NYC for a while, I insisted we do something fun together on Saturday. Here's what we did:

Thursday, December 16, 2010

It's no secret that Anthropologie does some incredible windows and displays. These straws, sewn together straight down the middle make up one of my favorites. I'd love to see someone do it with colorful pipe-cleaners, or maybe the blue striped straws below. They would make a great twirly backdrop for pictures at a party, I'm thinking behind the bar area might be appropriate!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

As temperatures continue to drop here in the City, I am faced with extreme wardrobe indecision in the mornings. Apparently I've learned nothing after four years of NYC winters and am forever leaving the house without appropriate winter gear. Why can't I be a YSL model, don't they look chic and warm?!

A few years ago, a guy I dated (who shall remain nameless) hosted a holiday party for friends and colleagues in his small one bedroom Union Square apartment. On the top of his list was to hire a bartender and have some form of entertainment. Apparently he had been hosting this party for years and wanted to step it up a notch. He found a bartender off craigslist and I used my event planning Rolodex to find a fortune teller, both were a huge hit.

This article in the New York Times suggests the trend of hiring someone to sling drinks in your tiny 400 square foot space is growing. People find it adds a touch of class and sophistication. Although I very much agree with the idea, I must warn you, the pretentious attitude from people they interviewed made me slightly nauseous. Regardless, if you're able to hire someone to handle the drinks, (this person can also hang coats and help you clean up at the end of the night,) you might be able to enjoy your event more like a guest might, rather than a stressed out host. And if you can get Tom Cruise....